A strong security presence and superstar flair defined the opening of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States on Saturday, as Inter Miami and Al Ahly played out a thrilling 0-0 draw in the tournament’s curtain-raiser.
All eyes were on Argentine icon Lionel Messi, who led the host city’s side at a packed stadium, drawing global attention to the much-discussed expansion of the Club World Cup. Despite the match ending goalless, it was anything but dull.
Inter Miami were largely indebted to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance. The veteran shot-stopper kept the Egyptian giants at bay with a series of brilliant saves, including a crucial penalty stop in the first half that helped preserve Miami’s clean sheet.
Messi, as expected, was at the heart of Miami’s attacking play. He nearly broke the deadlock in the second half with a trademark curling free-kick. In the dying moments, he launched a spectacular long-range effort that seemed destined for the top corner, only for Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to produce a stunning fingertip save that pushed the ball onto the crossbar.
Though no goals were recorded, the clash showcased quality football and intense competitionwelcome developments for a tournament that has faced criticism and skepticism regarding its format and commercial ambitions.
Whether this star-studded kickoff silences the doubters remains to be seen. But for now, the focusat least momentarilyhas shifted back to the pitch.
Here are today’s FIFA Club World Cup fixtures (Sunday, June 15, 2025) in the United States:
Group Stage – Sunday, June 15
Time: 1:00 AM – Al Ahly vs Inter Miami (Group A) 0 -0 played
Time: 5:00 PM – Bayern Munich vs Auckland City (Group C)
Time: 8:00 PM – PSG vs Atlético Madrid (Group B)
Time: 11:00 PM – Palmeiras vs Porto (Group A)
These are the four fixtures scheduled for today. The spotlight shift from the opening Inter Miami game to these marquee matchups showcases the global draw of this expanded tournament format.
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